An American woman will spend a year behind bars in Australia after she attempted to bring a gold-plated gun into the country.
On Monday, Liliana Goodson, 30, pleaded guilty to charges of illegally importing an unauthorized firearm as well as ammunition and was sentenced by Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court.
Goodson was immediately taken into custody to start her sentence, of which four months will be served in full-time custody, according to The Guardian.
She was also fined $1,000 and ordered to get drug counseling upon her release.
The incident occurred in April last year, when Goodson flew from Florida to Australia to attend a clown school, according to The Telegraph.
She was arrested at the Sydney Airport after Australian Border Force officers discovered a customized gold-plated Colt .45-style pistol hidden in her hand luggage.
The gun was discovered when it passed through an X-ray machine.
When a Border Force officer asked Goodman if she had a gun, she responded, “Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” according to Australian news outlet news.com.au.
Police later found that she had searched online to see if it were legal to have a gun in her suitcase, as well as made a calendar reminder to “put gun in suitcase.”
Goodson reportedly told authorities that she was “scared” of shooting the weapon and hoped to only use it as a visual deterrent if need be.
The magistrate who oversaw Goodson’s sentencing, Susan Horan, said that her decision was necessary so that others would refrain from committing similar offenses, reportedly saying, “Australia has a strong stance against firearms.”
